Daily Archive: Saturday, February 16, 2013

Dr Naresh Singh, the Guyanese man at the centre of concerns over a conflict of interest in a Canada-funded Caribbean project tonight disclosed that he had been appointed the new Deputy Caricom Secretary General and he denied being involved in any impropriety.

QUETTA, Pakistan, (Reuters) – Pakistan’s Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, which intelligence officials say has become a major security threat, claimed responsibility for a sectarian attack on Shi’ites which killed 47 people in the city of Quetta today.

COLOMBO,  (Reuters) – Unidentified gunmen shot and seriously wounded a Sri Lankan investigative journalist, colleagues and officials said today, prompting condemnation from the United Nations’ top human rights official.

VATICAN CITY,  (Reuters) – The conclave to choose Pope Benedict’s successor could start earlier than expected, giving the Roman Catholic Church a new leader by mid March, the Vatican said today.

(Jamaica Gleaner) Former Chief Justice Lensley Wolfe has been hospitalised after collapsing on Friday.

(Trinidad Guardian) President of the Police Social and Welfare Association Sgt Anand Ramesar has expressed support for government’s plans to provide international training for 200 local police officers.

MIRPUR, Bangladesh,  CMC – West Indies opener Chris Gayle returned to form with a spectacular hundred for Dhaka Gladiators on Friday, to fire them into the final of the Bangladesh Premier League here.

Pressure continues to build on the Guyana Government over the granting of a broadcast licence to China Central TV with the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) being the latest to voice concern on the matter, Thus far, the private sector had been silent on the granting earlier this month of a 24-hour broadcasting licence to CCTV on dubious grounds.

During yesterday, the police say they conducted drug eradication operations in the Berbice River at De Veldt and Kimbia, during which a total of three fields, about three acres in size, with approximately 950 cannabis sativa (marijuana) plants under cultivation were found.

(Jamaica Gleaner) My objective with this column is to both critique and celebrate the island’s performing arts, usually thought of as being dance, drama and music.

VATICAN CITY, (Reuters) – Pope Benedict’s decision to live in the Vatican after he resigns will provide him with security and privacy.

(Jamaica Gleaner) Although the International Monetary Fund (IMF) team in Jamaica has given its support to measures outlined by Finance Minister Dr Peter Phillips, it appears that one major hurdle stands in the way of the finalisation of an extended fund facility that would make US$750 million available to Jamaica over the next four years.

Lester ‘De Professor’ Charles last night sung his way into the hearts of the judges, with “god Nah Sleep” to win the 2013 Calypso Monarchy and $600,000.

(Trinidad Express) Anthony Thomas Aquinas Carmona is a man of the people.

In Guyana, it is estimated that some 3000 young girls drop out of school annually as a result of pregnancy, the government has told the United Nations Rights of the Child Committee.

Communications Consultant Kit Nascimento yesterday chided government for admitting that it violated the laws governing broadcasting by unilaterally granting spectrum to China Central Television by a mere phone call to the National Frequ-ency Management Unit (NFMU).

Chinese workers are presently involved in the construction of a Guyana Power and Light (GPL) substation at Good Hope, East Coast Demerara which is part of a huge project being financed by a US$39.6M loan from China’s Export-Import Bank.

A miner died yesterday after he was stabbed in his chest with a knife by an elderly man whom he had a misunderstanding with.

A Grade 3 St Margaret’s Primary School pupil died while receiving medical attention after he was pushed by a classmate in the school’s compound on Thursday and subsequently fell to the ground.

A family of  seven, who were terrorized for an hour on Thursday night by three men claiming to be police officers, says that police at the Springlands Police Station refused to take their statements when they went to make a report and they immediately travelled to Georgetown to lodge a complaint.

Two policemen—a constable and a sergeant who is also a prosecutor were charged on Thursday with attempting to pervert the course of justice; this is  in relation to the Bel Air Park multi-million dollar heist.

Earl Peters was yesterday sentenced to one year and three years imprisonment on two charges of robbery and Magistrate Leron Daly ordered that the sentences run consecutively.

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – Kirk Edwards gained a timely boost of form and confidence with his fifth first-class hundred to put Barbados in charge early against Guyana in the Regional 4-Day Tournament yesterday here.

A 24-year-old man accused of discharging a loaded firearm at his aunt was yesterday remanded to prison when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) yesterday stated that its attempts to remove a former rank from the University of Guyana (UG) campus, while he was in a class, were justified according to the Defence Act.

Three men and a minor, who allegedly broke and entered the dwelling house and business place of another and stole over $3 million in items were yesterday released on $175,000 bail each, when they appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

A month after President Donald Ramotar said that he planned to discuss the findings of an audit into alleged financial improprieties at the National Communications Network (NCN) with the persons involved before saying what decisions will be made, it is not clear that this has been done.

In some circles it’s Fashion Week in New York, but in other ovals it’s different striding along the lanes – it’s Millrose Games in New York, where young track star Kadecia Baird returns later today to fashion another ‘trend’ on the stage that launched her international recognition in the track world.

The Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG) has welcomed the implementation of the five-year Public Safety and Security Reform Strategy recently announced by the Minister of Home Affairs but says government has to commit sufficient resources for it to be successful.

The semi-finals of the Guinness Greatest of the Streets East Coast edition will take place today at the Haslington Market Square with two mouth watering fixtures.

The Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) has said the late cricketer and professor Aubrey Bishop will be remembered for many things among them being the style with which he brought to the sport.

DOHA, (Reuters) – Serena Williams showed tennis was not just the domain of teenagers as she climbed back to the top of the world rankings yesterday, becoming the oldest female to hold the coveted position at the age of 31.

The Milo U20 schools football competition will continue today and tomorrow at the Ministry of Education Ground Carifesta Avenue beginning at noon.

PRETORIA,  (Reuters) – South African ‘Blade Runner’ Oscar Pistorius, the double amputee who became one of the biggest names in world athletics, broke down in tears yesterday after he was charged in court with shooting dead his girlfriend in his Pretoria home.

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the Government of Guyana yesterday signed the Annual Work Plan for 2013 which will focus on several areas including child survival.

Golfers will battle for top honours today in the annual Stag Beer Mashramani tournament at the Lusignan Golf Club.

A two-day workshop under the aegis of the Ministry of Culture and UNESCO has mapped out a plan for the preservation of the country’s intangible heritage and community participation is seen as pivotal.

KINGSTOWN, St Vincent, CMC – Middle order batsman Jason Mohammed stroked an important half-century to prop up Trinidad and Tobago on the opening day of their first Regional Four-Day Championship clash against Windward Islands here yesterday.

Crime and security tops the agenda at the 24th Intersessional Caricom Heads of Government planned for next week in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.

KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC-Jamaica’s sprint legend Merlene Ottey has announced plans to compete in this summer’s IAAF World Championships in Moscow, almost 30 years after her first appearance at the event in 1983.

Tariq Saunders yesterday won the boys’ 11 years and under title of the annual Mashramani table tennis competition at the National Gymnasium when he defeated Terrence Rausch in the final by three games to one.

A man accused of robbery under arms was yesterday remanded to prison when he appeared before Magistrate Sueanna Lovell at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC- Members of Trinidad and Tobago’s 2006 World Cup squad are planning to sue National Security Minister Jack Warner over his role as former special adviser and controller of the Federation’s finances.

The Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development plans to summon contractors over delays in the building and rehabilitation of hinterland roads.

The choirs were regionally composed—made up of children/teachers from different schools in the particular region.

Dear Editor, With respect to the presentation at Moray House of the 1972 book by Mr Eusi Kwayana entitled The Bauxite Strike and the Old Politics, at which I was present, please allow me to state my story with some elaboration in order to set the context and, hence, aid understanding of an historic time.

Caribbean parliamentarians were urged this week to  utilise the opportunity of the Joint Parliamentary Assembly  to join with Caribbean leaders in taking a strong stand against the EU’s approach to differentiation.

Reigning Soca Monarch Jumo Primo will have his work cut out for him when he comes up against 17 contenders for his crown and title at the National Park tonight.

Dear Editor, Current events, national and local, lead one to contemplate a study of incompetence: its occurrence, its typologies, its effects and its uses.

CAPE TOWN, (Reuters) – Pakistan off-spinner Saeed Ajmal ripped through South Africa’s batting to leave them reeling on 139 for five at the end of a controversial second day in the second test at Newlands yesterday.

MOBILE, Ala.,  (Reuters) – Thousands of passengers who spent nearly five days stuck on a disabled cruise ship in the Gulf of Mexico headed home on Friday by bus, plane or car, relishing the chance for a warm shower and working toilets after finally arriving back on land.

CHELYABINSK, Russia,  (Reuters) – A meteor streaked across the sky and exploded over central Russia yesterday, raining fireballs over a wide area and causing a shock wave that smashed windows, damaged buildings and injured more than 1,000 people.

Dear Editor I write here on the issue of Moses Nagamootoo’s position with regard to the Former Presidents (Benefits and Other Facilities) Act of 2009.

WELLINGTON, (Reuters) – England’s opening batsmen Alex Hales and Michael Lumb made a mockery of the New Zealand bowling attack to guide the visitors to a 10-wicket win in their third Twenty20 international and a 2-1 series victory yesterday.

As our 43rd Republic anniversary approaches, some amount of introspection is required.

‘Scaping’: Performer Kelton Jennings doing an interpretive dance of an excerpt from LiTTscapes – Landscapes of Fiction from Trinidad and Tobago at Moray House yesterday.

Kildonan visits: Prime Minister Samuel Hinds is surrounded by Kildonan Primary School students, Region Six who paid him a visit yesterday at his office in Kingston, Georgetown.

Ministry of Local Govern-ment Permanent Secretary, Collin Croal and two other representatives recently completed a one-week finance training programme at the University of Birmingham that will foster new initiatives in the sector.

Hi Everyone, there are several ways to prepare fish to fry: seasoned, and dusted with flour, breadcrumbs, cornmeal or some other type of dry breading.

WASHINGTON/CHICAGO,  (Reuters) – Former Chicago congressman Jesse Jackson Jr., son of the famed civil rights leader, plans to plead guilty to charges filed yesterday accusing him of misusing $750,000 in campaign funds, his attorney said.

Guyana has called upon the government of Israel to live up to its obligations under international law to the people of the occupied Palestinian territory, to cease the construction of settlements and to the complete lifting of the blockade of Gaza.

LiTTscapes: Moray House Trust in conjunction with the Ministry of Culture and the Theatre Guild and in association with Trinidadian Dr Kris Rampersaud yesterday presented “LiTTribute 11 – LiTTurgy to the Mainland” with readings and performances inspired by Rampersaud’s book LiTTscapes – Landscapes of Fiction from Trinidad and Tobago.

Dear Editor, A Guyanese friend of mine in New York asked me Thursday what I thought of the unfolding events in Guyana, vis-à-vis the role of the Chinese in the Marriott and the CCTV national embarrassments, and I responded with a question of my own: What does President Donald Ramotar think?

(Reuters) – LeBron James continued his sizzling form with 39 points in the Miami Heat’s 110-100 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday but missed a late three-pointer to bring his record scoring streak to an end.

A man was on Thursday remanded to prison on a charge of murder when he appeared before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

Crooning it: Kross Kolor recording artiste Ossie Nedd rendering an excerpt of LiTTscapes – Landscapes of Fiction from Trinidad and Tobago in song at Moray House yesterday.

MUMBAI, India, CMC-West Indies women coach Sherwin Campbell says beating Australia has lifted the players’ confidence ahead of their first One Day International World Cup Finals tomorrow.

Dear Editor, The Speaker in Parliament or Congress is elected by a majority vote, and is expected to lead in realising an agenda set by the majority with the input of the minority, with the intent that the society shall benefit from the best ideas, since no individual or specific group has all the answers to resolving the problems and influencing the desires of the people.

OTTAWA, (Reuters) – Canadian Aboriginal Affairs Minister John Duncan resigned unexpectedly yesterday after admitting he had inappropriately written a letter to a tax court on behalf of a constituent.

A mix of new and old talent was awarded last Sunday evening when the Theatre Guild held its 2012 Awards ceremony, which also saw Vic Insanally and Ian McDonald being honoured with Lifetime Achievement Awards.

There was an unplanned theme in the words of the women who spoke at the One Billion Rising – Guyana event this past Thursday.

President Obama’s State of the Union address earlier this week was largely given over to visions and promises, carefully phrased to make them sound practical and affordable, as though eventual success was all but inevitable.

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif., (Reuters) – A fugitive former police officer whose charred remains were found in a burned-out California mountain cabin following a standoff with police died from a possibly self-inflicted gunshot wound, a San Bernardino County Sheriff’s spokesman said yesterday.

Dear Editor, While it’s definitely not my intention for this letter to be construed as an attack on the character of anyone, nevertheless it remains my firm and humble opinion, that ahead of the Guyana Football Federation’s Ordinary Congress and the election of office bearers, (GFF’s mandate ends on April 19, 2013), the Georgetown Football Association (GFA) should convene an emergency General Council meeting to deal specifically with choosing candidates for the respective positions to be contested within the GFF executive.

Look! This is what the bill says. AFC’s Khemraj Ramjattan speaking in Parliament on Thursday.

Cabinet has green lighted a $35.37 million contract for the supply of exercise books for national distribution via the Ministry of Education.

ST. JOHN’S, Antigua,  CMC- President of the West Indies Cricket Board Dr.